Am I Blue's victory probed by BHA

The British Horseracing Authority is to probe the success of heavily backed 5-1 shot Am I Blue at Hereford.

Ridden by leading jockey Richard Johnson, who was a late replacement for Dean Coleman, Am I Blue romped home in the Wyvern Ices Handicap Hurdle.

Beaten by 88 lengths on her last race at Worcester, it was the first time the four-year-old has won in 16 starts.

But the BHA's Integrity Services and Licensing Department will now examine Am I Blue's 19-length victory.

"When a horse wins showing improved form, having been heavily supported and subject to a jockey change, it is vital for the integrity of the sport that all of the facts are established," said a BHA spokesman.

CORNELIUS LYSAGHT'S VIEW The result, combined with the filly's dismal form, plus the late change of rider, made the announcement of an investigation inevitable

"Our Integrity Department spoke to the racecourse stewards, who obtained two possible reasons for the improvement in form.

"It remains entirely possible that everything was above board, but it is just as important to prove if that was the case as it is to prove it wasn't."

Am I Blue is trained near Bridgend in south Wales by owner Delyth Thomas.